“Or you can just remain here in comfort and no one will have to pay extra. I will return in an hour or two.”

Torran glared at me. “I will accompany you. If you can’t afford to purchase supplies because of my presence, then I’ll pay for them in their entirety.”

I bristled at the implication that I couldn’t take care of my people. In my peripheral vision, Kee shook her head. “Oof. Wrong move, buddy,” she muttered.

“I can buy my own supplies,” I bit out. “I neither require nor desire your assistance, General Fletcher. Stay here, stay out of trouble, and stay out of my way.”

I turned to storm away, but Torran stepped into my path. His eyes glinted in the light and his expression told me that he wasn’t going to back down. “I am merely protecting my investment, Captain,” he reminded me softly. “I will accompany you, one way or another. You should take the deal I’ve offered.”

The threat was clear, and my already simmering temper flared into an inferno.

Kee grabbed my arm and hauled me across the room before I could act on the riot of emotion. “He’s a client, Tavi,” she whispered urgently. “Venting your anger might feel good right now, but you’ll regret it later.”

“I definitely won’t,” I promised.

“Let him accompany you.” When I scowled at her, she held up a hand. “Hear me out,” she wheedled. “Get the food you wanted and the parts for the ship. All of them.”

It took a second for her words to sink past the fury. When they did, I turned to her with wide eyes. She gave me an impish grin. “You would’ve thought of it, too,” she said, “once you calmed down. I’m just speeding up the process.”

She was right. If I hadn’t lost my temper, I would’ve thought of it. Everything on the repair list would cost a fortune—even before the additional markup because he was a Valoff. But Torran had offered me the deal, and I was going to use his honor against him.

Eventually he would learn to stop threatening me or he would go bankrupt, and either way, I won.

“Keep an eye on the ship,” I told Kee. “And let me know when Lexi arrives. Make sure she knows I’ve put her in the room across from Anja. I’ll be a couple of hours, at least, so feed Luna when she wanders in. Any requests?”

“Chocolate,” Kee said at once. “Something good.”

I nodded and pivoted back to face Torran. “Very well, I accept. You may accompany me as long as you pay for the supplies. Are you ready to go?”